The Healthwatch Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness teams recently welcomed some new Sessional Workers and Volunteers in an induction session at the People First Conference Centre.
The session was full of activities and information and was the perfect opportunity for us to get to know our new staff, and to allow the new members of our team to get to know a bit more about Healthwatch and how we work.
We looked at some key areas of the work that we carry out, such as Enter and Views, conducting case studies, and setting up a stand at an engagement event. The group got stuck in and we were very impressed by their enthusiasm and passion for supporting local people.
We asked each person to share a little bit about themselves, what they thought after the session, as well as why they are interested in working with us. Here’s what they told us:
Jane
"I would describe myself as compassionate, curious and witty. I applied to be a Sessional Worker as I have been a family carer & support worker, so I feel strongly about helping others find their voice. The flexibility of this role is also great for me."
"In my free time, I like writing letters, going to gigs (when possible), seeing friends and hanging out with my cats."
Claire
"I found the induction session enlightening and enjoyable and I was able to learn a lot more about the ethos of Healthwatch and People First and how to construct a case study. I am looking forward to drawing people out about their experiences with health and social care."
"I enjoy reading, walking, playing the piano and travelling."
Andrea
"My favourite part of the induction was deciding what 8 points needed to be put into a case study and justifying what to leave out. I enjoyed it because it generated interesting discussion and it was useful to keep in mind to keep wording concise and relevant for case studies. I was drawn to the role because of the 'as and when' aspect of it, and the practical nature of the work. I enjoy meeting a variety of people from different walks of life and am looking forward to engaging with a variety of audiences and making a difference."
"My hobbies include rollerblading, cycling and yoga."
Chipo
"I would describe myself as friendly, caring and reliable. I enjoyed learning more about Healthwatch and meeting the team, and found the session welcoming, informative and engaging. I am looking forward to meeting people, learning new skills and helping improve health and care services in my community."
"In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, going for walks, listening to music, and learning new things. I also enjoy reading and doing activities that help me relax."
Kat
"I found the induction session empowering, motivating, engaging, and enjoyed networking with the other sessional workers. I learnt about the vast amount of area and issues Healthwatch covers, the potential to gather feedback on a vast range of topics and really make a difference to our neighbourhoods. Giving them a voice. I love everything Healthwatch do and I am keen to be involved in a proactive way. This role is perfect for me."
"My interests include Halloween, horror and time with my gorgeous children."
Millie
"I would describe myself as colourful, kind and warm."
"I loved how relaxed the induction session felt and how welcome everyone was made to feel. It made me feel like I can ask any question."
"In my free time I like cooking and baking, reading, and hanging out with the people I love."
We can’t wait for you to meet our new staff
Our sessional workers will be out and about across Cumbria soon to find out your thoughts on health and social care services.